Killeen City Council Regular Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Killeen City Council met on February 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM at City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation from the Killeen Rodeo Committee, a work session to discuss consent agenda items, citizen comments, approval of a consent agenda, and discussion on several policy items including the scope of the Charter Review Committee, land banking, the Reunification Center project, operational hours for Municipal Court and Utility Collections, financial governance policy updates, and a briefing from the City Auditor. The council also held an executive session to evaluate the City Auditor and later approved a cost-of-living adjustment.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 6, 2026 (MN-26-006) and the Special City Council Meeting of January 6, 2026 (MN-26-007).
• VOCA Grant: Authorized submission of the FY2027 Victims of Crime Act Crisis Assistance Program grant application and acceptance of awarded funds (RS-26-023).
• Traffic Signal Upgrade: Approved a Letter of Agreement with MoboTrex, LLC for year one of a five-year traffic signal system maintenance plan, in the amount of $616,126.00 (RS-26-024).
• Tax Increment Reimbursement: Approved a Chapter 311 tax increment reimbursement agreement with Killeen Investments, LLC for off-site improvements to the wastewater sewer system, in the amount of $119,865.00 (RS-26-025).
• Charter Review Committee Appointments: Appointed members to the Charter Review Committee as nominated by council members (RS-26-026). Appointees are: Amanda Sydney (District 4), Joseph A. Bar (District 2), Leo Guggeizen (District 1), Samuel Powell Jr. (District 3), Renee Norriga (District 5), and Thomas Land (at-large, selected by Mayor).
• Joint Election Contracts: Approved Early Voting and Election Day Joint Election Contracts with Killeen Independent School District for the May 2, 2026 election (RS-26-027).
• Election Ordinance: Ordered the May 2, 2026 General Election to elect a Mayor and three Councilmembers At-Large (OR-26-004).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Fornino: Criticized Councilmember Nina Cobb for not appointing him to the Charter Review Committee despite her earlier statement. Opposed limiting the scope of the charter review and argued against creating a land bank program, citing insufficient eligible properties, high administrative costs, and that tax auction already returns properties to tax rolls.
• Candice Cooper (President, Downtown Killeen Merchants Association): Expressed concern about the Reunification Center remaining downtown, arguing it conflicts with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and deters business investment. Opposed increasing capacity without additional daytime resources or relocation.
• Ashley Smith (Bell County Tax Board, Place 3): Supported transparent policies and accessible voting procedures to reduce voter apathy. Praised civil engagement and pledged collaboration.

Discussion Items

• Work Session on Consent Agenda Items: Staff presented overviews of each consent item. For the VOCA grant, Chief Lopez noted the grant assists crime victims and that the city’s victim clerks served over 2,100 victims in 2025 (up 250-300 from 2024). For the traffic signal upgrade, staff explained year one upgrades focus on 12 intersections. Councilmember Solomon inquired about WS Young coverage and future years. For the 311 agreement, staff stated the project will increase property value from $356,464 to an estimated $22.5 million. For the Charter Review Committee appointment, each council member nominated one citizen. On the joint election contracts, it was clarified that three at-large council seats and the mayor will be on the ballot. The election ordinance was discussed, including early voting dates and new precincts.
• Charter Review Committee Scope (DS-26-009): Council discussed which articles and topics the committee should review. Members suggested Article 10 (initiative, referendum, recall), alignment of elections with November odd-numbered years, term limits and time frames, council compensation, special meeting authority, council investigations, and vacancy appointments. Some council members supported allowing the committee to suggest additional topics if discovered during review. A motion was approved to limit the scope to the topics discussed.
• Land Banking (DS-26-010): Staff presented three alternatives: (1) formal land bank under Chapter 379E, (2) a parcels-in-trust program similar to Waco’s, and (3) assembly of properties for low-to-moderate income housing after foreclosure. Staff recommended alternative 3. Councilmember Alvarez supported alternative 3 but requested a plan B for individual properties if assembly is not feasible. The council directed staff to proceed with alternative 3, including foreclosing on approximately 35 eligible abandoned tax-delinquent properties, partnering with a law firm, establishing an MOU with Bell County, and marketing properties via RFP for development.
• Reunification Center Project (DS-26-011): Staff updated on the RFQ process. Two proposals were received: Families in Crisis (score 82.5) and Open Gates Community Outreach (score 31.5). An informal survey revealed shelter capacity issues. Staff proposed engaging Families in Crisis for emergency shelter expansion and Syntex ARC for transitional housing (16 single-room units initially, up to 32). Council members expressed support but raised concerns about daytime needs, jobs, respect for downtown businesses, and financial stability of operators. A motion was approved to direct staff to continue in-depth engagement with both entities.
• Operational Hours Change (DS-26-012): Proposed moving Municipal Court and Utility Collections to a four-day, 10-hour work week (Monday-Thursday, 7 AM to 6 PM for Utility Collections, 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM for Municipal Court). Benefits include employee retention and customer convenience. Concerns were raised about water cutoffs on Friday (no non-payment cutoffs) and notification to military families. Staff plan to implement April 1, 2026 with broad communication. Council approved the change.
• Financial Governance Policy Updates (DS-26-013): Proposed changes include increasing the capitalization threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 and revising the Senior Citizen Utility Bill Assistance Program application requirements (12 months of account history, income limits at 150% of federal poverty guidelines, etc.). Staff requested feedback; formal adoption scheduled for February 17, 2026 meeting.
• City Auditor Briefing (DS-26-014): City Auditor Kevin Grady presented his third annual year-in-review. He described the internal audit process, reported on audits completed (controls over seized assets, CDBG grant process, street maintenance fee), and noted 50 total recommendations (31 closed, 19 open). Key findings included a need for better long-term storage of seized vehicles, expanded outreach for CDBG sub-recipients, and website improvements. Updates on water meter replacements and animal services were also provided.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: All consent items (2-9) were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Charter Review Committee Scope: Approved a motion to limit the committee’s review to the topics discussed (Article 10, election alignment, term limits, etc.) with allowance for bringing new topics back to council (6-0).
• Land Banking Direction: Approved a motion directing staff to proceed with alternative 3 (property assembly) and foreclose on eligible properties, with flexibility to handle single parcels if needed (6-0).
• Reunification Center Direction: Approved a motion to direct staff to engage with Families in Crisis for shelter expansion and Syntex ARC for transitional housing (5-0, with one council member absent).
• Municipal Court / Utility Collections Hours: Approved the new four-day 10-hour work week schedule effective April 1, 2026 (6-0).
• Executive Session: Council conducted an annual evaluation of the City Auditor in closed session.
• City Auditor Pay Adjustment: Approved a resolution (RS-26-028) providing the City Auditor with a 5% cost-of-living pay increase (6-0).